Lady Gladiators Volleyball is over the top

Barry Byers Posted August 9, 2010 4:12pm Lady Gladiator Volleyball

The Italy Lady Gladiators began their 2010 volleyball season with enthusiasm last week under the tutelage of their new head volleyball coach Heather Richters and assistant coach Jennifer Reeves. Intense workouts have the Ladies reaching new heights and setting even loftier goals.

Coach Richters played collegiate volleyball at Hardin Simmons and was recently an assistant volleyball coach at Rio Vista.

The team has already participated in scrimmages inside the Avalon dome on Friday, August 6 and scrimmaged Mildred on Saturday, August 7.

Italy’s first home volleyball games will be Tuesday, August 10 against the Dawson Lady Bulldogs. The J.V. game starts at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Varsity game.

The team has been drilling, running and lifting weights down at the field house in preparation for a chance at the district championship. Lets fill the stands with fans on Tuesday and show them how much we appreciate their hard work!

Italy Lady Gladiators J.V. and Varsity Volleyball Roster:

Bailey Bumpus
Kaitlyn Rossa
Anna Viers
Sierra Harris
Brianna Burkhalter
Brianna Perry
Morgan Cockerham
Cassi Jeffords
Nikki Brashear
Paola Mata
Maria Estrada
Jesica Wilkins
Ashley Harper
Ryisha Copeland
Taylor Turner
Paige Westbrook
Kendra Copeland
Alyssa Richards
Megan Richards
Breyanna Beets
Chelsea Beets

Lady Gladiators Volleyball — Can you dig it?

We want it! — Italy Lady Gladiator volleyball coach Heather Richters has her players hungry for wins. (Barry Byers)

Coach spikes — Coach Heather Richters simulates a spike to the Varsity defense as Kaitlyn Rossa and Sierra Harris get set. (Barry Byers)

Rossa reacts — Kaitlyn Rossa makes a forearm pass. (Barry Byers)

Sierra serves — Sierra Harris blasts an overhand serve over the net. (Barry Byers)

Brianna gets low — Brianna Burkhalter gets low to lift the ball as Anna Viers and Brianna Perry observe. (Barry Byers)

Up and over — Brianna Perry keeps the volley going against the J.V. squad. (Barry Byers)

Anna has hops — Anna Viers helps set the block during the drill. (Barry Byers)

Staying alive — Brian Burkhalter gives her team a chance. (Barry Byers)

Block party — Kaitlyn Rossa and Anna Viers make the block during practice. (Barry Byers)

Dink denied — Maria Estrada tries to dink one around Kaitlyn Rossa. (Barry Byers)

Above the net — Kaitlyn Rossa is a force at the net. (Barry Byers)

Athletic play — Sierra Harris executes a bump pass to give her teammates an opportunity to make a play. (Barry Byers)

Cassi concentrates — Cassi Jeffords is ready in the backcourt for the serve. (Barry Byers)

Weight a minute — It safe to say the Taylor Turner is on her own while doing the bench press as Paige Westbrook spots Taylor with just one finger and one hand behind her back. (Barry Byers)

Getting strong — Paola Mata spots Maria Estrada on the bench. (Barry Byers)

Teamwork — Morgan Cockerham gets ready to raise the bar while Sierra Harris waits for the start command. (Barry Byers)

Ro’s right behind you — Anna Viers gets ready in the squat cage while Kaitlyn Rossa has her back. (Barry Byers)

Kendra and Ashley — Kendra Copeland builds up her muscles while Ashley Harper waits for her turn. (Barry Byers)

Getting a lift — Cassi Jeffords gets help with her lift from teammate Brianna Burkhalter. (Barry Byers)

Coach instructs — Head Volleyball Coach Heather Richters discusses proper form during the Lady Gladiators’ weight lifting session. (Barry Byers)

Together we can — Bernice Haley lifts while Ryisha Copeland gives the bar a nudge. (Barry Byers)

New attitude — The Italy Lady Gladiators have a new winning attitude and the eyes of Brianna Perry say it all. (Barry Byers)